B&S week 2 game by game previews
The preseason talk and storylines are in the rearview mirror with week 1 in the books. New stories have emerged in week 2, so what’s the word?
By: Bossman Slim, The Hammer, The Waco Kid
Will Levis looked the part last week. He’ll need every bit of focus this week against Mizzou. (Michael Huang/Kentucky Sports Radio)
We’ve got a week under our belt and we have a better idea now of what these teams will look like this season...but still not a full picture. Week 2 won’t give us a full picture as we watch a few teams steamroll more cupcakes, but there are a few matchups that are big games and will determine the season for multiple teams.
Here’s how week 1 shaped out in the B&S office:
Bossman Slim: 11-2
The Hammer: 11-2
The Waco Kid: 10-3
The Waco Kid’s pick of LA Tech over Mississippi State almost came to fruition, but Leach and the Bulldogs were able to pull it out in the end, giving him his third loss.
Let’s get into the week 2 slate.
Early Games
#25 Auburn vs Alabama State - 12:00 PM ET on SEC Network (*X)
Bossman Slim: Auburn by 100. The Tigers will make quick work of Alabama State in another cupcake matchup. Auburn will get some more work in ahead of their showdown with Penn State next weekend which could be a matchup between two top 20 teams.
#25 Auburn 48 - Alabama State 7
The Hammer: Another snoozer for Auburn. Not a bad strategy by Harsin to open his career with two complete pushovers (yes, I realize the schedule was set years ago and Harson had nothing to do with it). I recently watched the “Coach Prime” episode where Deion’s Jackson State Tigers lost to Alabama State this past spring. It was a fun episode and cool to see those two schools matchup but unfortunately for Alabama State, the Auburn Tigers are far better than the Jackson State Tigers. I’ll be keeping an eye on Bo Nix to see if he can be efficient two weeks in a row, but this will be an easy W for War Eagle.
#25 Auburn 52 - Alabama State 7
The Waco Kid: Alabama State enters this contest after a thrilling 14-13 overtime win against the Miles Golden Golden Bears. They can ride that momentum throughout the bus ride but once they step foot on Jordan-Hare, that all goes out the window. Akron may have been a better team than ASU and Auburn beat them silly. This could get ugly quick and I don’t think we will see much of Tank and Bo past halftime. Then again if anyone could lose to a team like this, my money would definitely be on Nix. I’m still betting on the Tigers and the over.
#25 Auburn 59 - Alabama State 13
South Carolina at East Carolina 12:00 ET on ESPN2 (South Carolina -2)
This man is on the FBI’s most wanted list for throwing 4 TDs last week to silence the haters (Photo: USC Athletics)
Bossman Slim: East Carolina hasn’t won more than 5 games since 2015, but the Pirates still give P5 teams a chill when they see them on the schedule. The purple Pirates have put many a good team in the graveyard of the Atlantic. To name a few: these South Carolina Gamecocks in 1999, Virginia Tech in 2014 and 2015, UNC three times since 2013 and NC State twice since 2014. Those are some solid scalps for ECU. But they haven’t beaten anyone of note since 2015 and aren’t very good. South Carolina looked good last week, but ECU is a step up in competition and it looks like the Gamecocks will again be without Luke Doty. I still don’t think ECU has the horses, and I think Carolina covers (barely).
South Carolina 28 - East Carolina 24
The Hammer: It’s hard to come to a conclusion for this game with South Carolina’s starting QB Luke Doty’s status being up in the air. If he plays, I like the Gamecocks. If it's Zeb Noland, who knows. My gut is telling me to pick South Carolina, but I don't feel great about it. I just don’t think East Carolina is very good. The Pirates were picked to finish 8th in the AAC this year, and if you lose to the 8th best team in a group of 5 leagues, you are in trouble. I’m counting on Beamer to have his team ready, give me South Carolina.
South Carolina 27 - East Carolina - 21
The Waco Kid: Everyone’s hatin’ on Zeb Noland when the kid threw 4 TDs in the first half last week. East Carolina is coming off a first-week blowout against Appalachian State. The Gamecocks are a mid-level SEC East team and will easily take care of business this Saturday. Noland will throw for 90 yards and 3 scores. Add in the return of top SEC back Kevin Harris and you are looking at a seven TD kind of night. Harris will take care of it on the ground and this game will be over mid-third quarter.
South Carolina 52 - East Carolina 24
Tennessee vs Pittsburgh 12:00 ET on ESPN (Pittsburg -3)
Bossman Slim: Joe Milton looked good last week in the first half, then had a bit of a lul that caused concern for Vol Nation. His passing numbers at the end of the night weren’t anything to write home about. Will that come back to bite them against much better competition in Pitt? Tune in to find out. I’ve got the Vols by a hair. SEC, SEC!
Tennessee 31 - Pittsburg 30
The Hammer: What a fascinating game. Tennessee’s offense looked good at times against Bowling Green and bad at other times. Joe Milton has a cannon for an arm but zero-touch and suspect accuracy. I’m worried that a veteran Pitt Panther team led by coach Pat “Nard Dog” Narduzzi and senior QB Kenny Pickett, will stand up to the Vols and deliver a crushing blow to Tennessee’s bowl hopes. Having the game at Neyland gives Tennessee a good chance in my opinion, especially since players haven't played in front of big crowds since 2019 for the most part. Many Panther players will not have seen a stadium as big or as loud as Neyland will be Saturday. Can the Vol Navy will this team to a win? No.
Pittsburg 27 - Tennessee 24
The Waco Kid: The Vols are over-Heupeled. Tennessee Joe Milton reminds me of…well, Michigan Joe Milton. He completed under 50% of his passes and only had 139 yards through the air against Bowling Green. Pittsburgh is no BG. If Rocky Top has any shot in this one the state will be yelling something not heard of since home state sweetheart Dolly Parton starred in her musical comedy “The best little whorehouse in Texas.” That’s right the chants for “Hooker '' will cut through the silent Knoxville night as the 100,000 at Neyland rock the stadium. If Milton begins the game like he ended last week, Hendon Hooker should have a shot at QB1. UT has two running backs that looked impressive in Week 1 but I am not sure they can shoulder the weight of the team. Pittsburgh is not a top-tier team but they are good enough to beat Tennessee. If double H makes an appearance it’s over for the Panthers, but if Milton plays throughout the Orange and White may have a real problem.
Tennessee 31 - Pittsburg 17
Midday Games
Florida at USF 1:00 ET on ABC (Florida -28.5)
Bossman Slim: Who’s on first? Who’s under center? Expect Emory Jones and Anthony Richardson to both see time this week, and may the best man win the job. Alabama looms next week, and Dan Mullen will trot out the best man to give the Gators a shot to beat the Tide. I liked Jones in the preseason and one bad game doesn’t scare me away. I’m sticking to my guns. I like USF coach Jeff Scott but the Bulls are terrible. It will take a few years for Scott to rebuild that program. Florida has dudes, USF doesn’t. Gators in a blowout.
Florida 44 - USF 14
The Hammer: I don’t care if there is or is not a QB battle going on in Gainesville. Whether it's Emory Jones or Anthony Richardson, the Gators will chomp USF. NC State just beat USF 45-0 last week. The once-proud Bulls program has fallen on hard times and Florida will steamroll them. Dan Mullen does need to figure out what he is doing at QB and on offense because Alabama rolls into the Swamp in week 3.
Florida 42 - USF 10
The Waco Kid: Not a chance for the Tampa Bulls. I do not care how many personnel competitions are going on for the Gators, there will be no competition with the opponent this weekend. Florida could bring back “Tom Tebow” (picture Tim with a mustache) for his super-super senior year and play him at tight end and he would probably have over 100 all-purpose yards and two touchdowns. USF is just plain bad. If we were to rank South Florida on our biscuits scale, they would register as an air biscuit.
Florida 48 - USF 3
#2 Georgia vs. UAB 3:30 ET on ESPN2 (Georgia -24.5)
Bossman Slim: We know about the defense: elite. We don’t know about the offense. They have talent everywhere, can they put it together? Without an elite offense, the Dawgs won’t have the year they are dreaming of. I think JT Daniels is one of the best QBs in the country, and I think he plays this week, and that this is the week he gets it together. UAB is a great story and Bill Clark has done a masterful job in Birmingham. They’ll be in the hunt to win their conference. But winning Conference USA and beating UGA are two different tasks. Dawgs route the Dragons and the offense gets it going.
#2 Georgia 38 - UAB 7
The Hammer: JT Daniels is officially listed as questionable due to a core injury. Based on what I saw against Clemson, this offense and Daniels need all the reps they can get so that doesn't bode well for the rest of the season. But in this game, it won’t matter. I know Georgia fans will want to see this offense open it up a little and push the ball downfield, and I don’t blame them. If you can’t do it against that Clemson defense, okay that’s a little understandable. But you better be able to do it against UAB. Not that UAB is a bad team because they aren’t, but show us something here. UGA will win easily but keep an eye on that offense and their game plan.
#2 Georgia 35 - UAB 3
The Waco Kid: It really does not matter how the Georgia offense performs this week because their defense won’t give up a score to UAB. That being said, if JT plays, the Dawgs have the chance to put on an offensive clinic. Only putting up 10 points to win a game doesn’t look great but at the same time, they were playing the #3 team in the nation. This one won’t be close. UGA will unleash the pent-up rage from Kirby Smart last weekend, and no one wants to be near when that gasket blows.
#2 Georgia 45 - UAB 0
**#5 Texas A&M at Colorado 3:30 ET on FOX (A&M -17)
Saftey Leon O’Neal leads a stingy A&M defense into Denver. (Photo: Jamie Maury, TexAgs)
Bossman Slim: A&M had a rough first half last week against Kent State but got it going in the second to notch a convincing win. They did what they had to do, even if it was ugly at times. Colorado got a win last week against Northern Colorado, but how much can we really take away from that? This is a step up in competition for A&M, but Colorado should be a middling team in the Pac 12, which is always weak as we all know. If A&M struggles to get a win, it could be a sign that this team is not ready for the big time like many thought before the year. I think they’re ready and have the talent to play with anyone in America. Give me the Aggies to join the Mile High Club. A&M gets off to a slow start due to altitude but wins convincingly, even if the score makes it look closer than it was.
#5 Texas A&M 31 - Colorado 17
The Hammer: Texas A&M looked a bit sluggish initially against Kent State a week ago, and new starting QB Haynes King threw three interceptions. However, if you watched the game, King looked very comfortable in the pocket and made plenty of good throws. If he can avoid the costly turnovers, A&M will cruise in this game. I don’t think Colorado’s offense, which relies mostly on the run game, matches up well with the Aggie defense. Look for Isaiah Spiller and Devon Achane to have good days on the ground for A&M, as the Aggies limit turnovers and overmatch the Buffs at Mile High.
#5 Texas A&M 38 - Colorado 13
The Waco Kid: The real storyline in this one is which will affect whose teams’ lungs most: the change in altitude for the Aggies or all of the legal weed for the Buffs. There is a ski slope at Texas A&M so the change in altitude should be fine, that’s how it works right? In all seriousness, this is supposed to be a decent matchup between two P5 teams. It won’t be. Texas A&M can score even with a quarterback that throws 3 picks and I would be surprised if their defense allows CU to move the ball as much as Kent State. The D looked rusty out there the first half but got it together to put on a strong showing after the break. It’s not all bad for the Boulder boys because win or lose, they always have something, as a Colorado grad once told me “What do Colorado and Colorado State students all have in common? They all got into CSU.”
#5 Texas A&M 35 - Colorado 13
Late Games
#1 Alabama vs Mercer 4:00 ET on SEC Network (*X)
Bossman Slim:
#1 Alabama 52 - Mercer 7
The Hammer: After a “big” matchup against Miami to open the season, the Tide gets to exhale in week two. This one will be done at halftime or earlier. Bryce Young will look great again, and the Tide continue to Roll.
#1 Alabama 48 - Mercer 3
The Waco Kid: Hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha. Rat Poison.
#1 Alabama 70 - Mercer 17
Late Games
Arkansas vs #15 Texas 7:00 ET on ESPN (Texas -7)
Bossman Slim: I cannot wait for this clash between two former SWC rivals. Aggies hate the Longhorns. What those outside Fayetteville may not know is, but the Razorbacks hate the UT too. This one has huge bragging rights implications too since the Burnt Orange will soon be a member of the SEC and have been talking serious smack on the internets about the depth of the conference. I liked what I saw from Texas last week as they won convincingly against a top 25 opponent in Louisiana. Hudson Card can sling the rock and they have two solid running backs in The Robinson Duo. Arkansas on the other hand struggled to beat Rice. Texas should win this game, but they won’t. Razorback Stadium rocks and the Hogs gut Bevo. GIMME THE HOGS (this one’s for you, Wild Hog).
Arkansas 28 - #15 Texas 27
The Hammer: This is the game I am most excited about this weekend. An audition of sorts for Texas coming to the SEC, although their future admission is finalized. If Texas wins, their fans will shout from the Texas Hill Country how overrated the SEC is and how they are going to come in and dominate with Urban Meyer. Whoops, I mean Steve Sarkisian. Urban actually turned them down. If Arkansas wins, the entire SEC nation will laugh at Texas and how they are perennially overrated. A LOT at stake here, including the revival of an old Southwest Conference rivalry. It would be a statement win for Sam Pittman and Hog nation is ready. I expect a raucous environment in Fayetteville with some less than friendly interactions between the two fan bases. My gut tells me Texas wins because they looked much better in week one than Arkansas did. But screw that, I can’t pick against our conference brethren. Hopefully, Barry Odom has some magic up his sleeve and Jalen Catalon snags a few Hudson Card passes, leading the Razorbacks to a glorious victory. Upset alert!
Arkansas 27 - #15 Texas 24
The Waco Kid: We’re BAAAACCCKKK!!! That is what we will be hearing from Arkansas come late Saturday night. Texas has convinced ESPN (shocker of the century) that they deserve to be a top 15 team because they beat Louisiana-Lafayette. Yes, they were ranked in the top 25 but still ULL, at the end of the year, will be Texas’ justification for an “upward trajectory'' in 2022. Sark may be the coach of the decade for the Horns but we will never know because the Exes will get involved if he has three decent years and he will be fired for another wide-eyed innocent assistant coach. Arkansas OC Kendal Briles knows how to smack these heifers up and down the field as he proved during his time at Baylor. His love of offense and hate of t.u. will create a masterful work of art, the likes of which have not been seen since the days of Van Gogh, that would keep Buddy Ryan’s head spinning. Pair that with a breakout game for Treylon Burks and you have a recipe for a normal Texas loss. Horns down.
Arkansas 38 - #15 Texas 23
Mississippi State vs NC State 7:00 ET on ESPN2 (NC State -2.5)
Bossman Slim: I’m interested in this matchup because it’s two unranked P5 programs and it’s a measuring stick for each, and for the conferences. If the ACC notches two wins against the SEC this week (Pitt and NC State), expect the chorus to be loud, and expect many derisive “SEC!” chants. I picked Hail State last in the West this year, and last week made me feel like I had that pick right. NC State is a good team. They’re better than the Bulldogs right now and should compete near the top of the Atlantic side of the ACC. Wolfpack walk out of StarkVegas with a W.
NC State 35 - Mississippi State 31
The Hammer: NC State whipped South Florida into submission in week 1 with a 45-0 victory. Meanwhile, Mississippi State needed a miraculous 4th quarter comeback to beat Louisiana Tech 35-34. Unlike the Arkansas game, I’m trusting my gut here based on what I saw in week one. The Wolfpack are a better team right now in my opinion and will go down to Starkville and get a dub.
NC State 34 - Mississippi State 27
The Waco Kid: This comes down to how good I think USF is, and I don’t think much of the Bulls. NC State might have blown them out and MSU looked terrible against La Tech but the Bulldogs made a 20 point comeback in the fourth quarter. The ability to overcome adversity and a deficit that large screams a good team playing poorly. Will Rogers also found his stride which could be a game-changer against the Pack. Jo’quavious Marks looked pretty good in the opener and will try to extend his dominance in the ground game against the Raleigh boys. I have the Pirate in this one, let’s get that ship going.
Mississippi State 38 - NC State 24
#20 Ole Miss vs Austin Peay 7:30 ET on SEC Network+ (*X)
Bossman Slim: Austin Peayons. I’m sure Austin Peay got a good payday to take this drubbing. Matt Corral throws for a billion yards and a handful of TDs. Ole Miss tunes it up before a decent Tulane team comes to Oxford in week 3.
#20 Ole Miss 56 - Austin Peay 6
The Hammer: Is Katy Perry returning to Oxford?? I have no idea what Katy Perry’s current dating/marriage situation is but don’t count out Joey Freshwater. Lane called, Katy answered. Could she be the hero Oxford needs? Maybe so. Luckily, they won’t need one this weekend against aptly named Austin Peay. Rebels win big in their home opening game and Lane will only throw one clipboard.
#20 Ole Miss 52 - Austin Peay 10
The Waco Kid: Kiffin is back on the sideline and looking poised for a big win this week. Let the Rebs out of the Corral (pun intended) and write this one off as a bye.
#20 Ole Miss 67 - Austin Peay 24
Missouri at Kentucky 7:30 ET on SEC Network (Kentucky -5)
Connor Bazelak has a big opportunity against Kentucky on Saturday (Photo: Jay Biggerstaff, USA TODAY Sports)
Bossman Slim: Another one I’m excited about. This is the game to see who will compete with Florida for that #2 spot in the SEC. Kentucky looked good last week against ULM and they might just have a passing attack led by Will Levis and Wan’Dale Robinson. With a passing attack and those RBs, Kentucky has grown on me after week 1. On the other side, Mizzou struggled last week with Central Michigan. I like both coaches in this game - that factor is a push. In the preseason I picked Mizzou over Kentucky in the East...but I’m changing my mind. Big Blue gets a gritty win.
Kentucky 34 - Missouri 30
The Hammer: This is a massive game in the race for second place in the SEC East. Florida looked average in week one, opening the door for a myriad of other teams vying for second place behind the Dawgs. Kentucky and Mizzou fall squarely in that race. I think Will Levis and this new look Wildcat offense will be tested more than they were against ULM, but I still think Big Blue pulls this one out at home. Missouri looked pedestrian against Central Michigan in their opener and I think Kentucky has the better roster right now top to bottom.
Kentucky 31 - Missouri 24
The Waco Kid: Drinkwitz has this Mizzou team sitting in a great position. They have been improving game by game since the start of the 2020 season. Unfortunately, that will not be enough to topple the Wildcats this year. Kentucky had a strong showing behind QB Will Levis and running back CRod. They will continue their dominance on offense and the Tigers will leave the bluegrass state with their first division L.
Kentucky 24 - Missouri 20
LSU vs. McNeese State 8:30 ET on SEC Network+ (*X)
Bossman Slim: UCLA beat LSU handily last week, making the Coach O detractors rear their heads. You can’t walk into the Rose Bowl insulting fans for their “sissy blue shirts” and then get whipped. O has righted the ship before, and this team is uber-talented. It’s still early, the new coaches need time (obviously) and UCLA could end up being a solid team this year. Coach O and the Tigers are going to take out their anger on Poor McNeese State QB Cody Orgeron. That, or he may throw the game to save his Dad’s gig so he can keep his allowance. Tigers in a landslide.
LSU 48 - McNeese State 7
The Hammer: Coach O has managed to find himself squarely on the hot seat in Baton Rouge, less than two years removed from a National Championship. Good work, Ed! Luckily for him and the Bayou Bengals, McNeese State comes to town this weekend, ripe for slaughter. Give me the Tigers big here. Cody Orgeron won’t beat his father and get him fired.
LSU 41 - McNeese State - 14
The Waco Kid: LSU had a tough 2020 and 2021 so far. I think that changes with a matchup against McNeese State. This is a get your swagger back game that the Tigers should have no issues with. The way this game is played determines the rest of the season for the Bayou Bengals. If they can blow it out of the water and not look back, we could see a revitalized crew. If this stays close, Coach O might be out in Baton Rouge and it may be another year of rebuilding. I don’t think that will be the case so I am taking Louisiana State with a dominant win.
LSU 42 - McNeese State 3
Vanderbilt at Colorado State 10:00 ET on CBS Sports Network (CSU -7)
Bossman Slim: So Vandy loses to ETSU, an FCS school at home last week, and now has to travel to Colorado to play a 10 PM ET game? The game will be at 8 MT...but that’s hard on any team to adjust to the time difference AND the altitude. Vandy may not win a game all year. Colorado State is terrible and Vanderbilt is very bad. Coin flip - the Rams pull the anchor up.
Colorado State 24 - Vanderbilt 21
The Hammer: This game is a total stinker. Vandy lost by 20 points to FCS school ETSU last week and Colorado State lost by 19 to FCS school South Dakota State. Sheesh. Both programs are barely treading water right now and hoping to find a temporary lifeboat this weekend with a win. All I know about the Rams is despite losing to SD State last week, they managed to score 23 points. The ‘Dores just managed 3. I have no faith in this team finding something on the road in week 2, so give me the Rams at home.
Colorado State 28 - Vanderbilt - 20
The Waco Kid: Vanderbilt gets a big ol’ “yikes” for the start of the season. How do you lose to ETSU and expect to have a winning program? Clark Lea might be the right fit but this is not the right year. The only silver lining is that Colorado State somehow fell to South Dakota State last weekend. Vandy still has Ken Seals who can show up at any time. The ‘Dores were all around bad last week but the Rams threw for over 300 yards and still lost to an FCS opponent. I would rather bet on a team that had a bad week than one that performed and still couldn’t get the W.
Vanderbilt 35 - Colorado State 21
*X = This game was is so bad Vegas didn’t even set a line.
** = Neutral site game